Long-wave economic cycles, techno-economic paradigms, and the pattern of reform in American public administration

Previous public administration research has failed to systematically explore the relationships between changing techno-economic paradigms and reform in American public administration. This article examines the linkages between bureaucratic reform and long-wave economic cycles. Specifically, the authors contend that the techno-economic paradigms that drive economic long waves are consistent with a pattern of initiation and eventually confirmation of reforms in public administration. The authors show that public administration reforms emerge during price downswings and are then followed by a period of "reform confirmation" during price upswings. The historical pattern of the approximately 50- to 60-year long-wave cycles reveals 25- to 30-year periods of downswing reform emergence followed by similar periods of price upswing reform confirmation. Finally, this article enhances our knowledge concerning the variables necessary to develop comprehensive theories of public administration reform.